Work with us

The departmentis responsible forthe design and delivery of the Australian Governments infrastructure transport regional developmentsportcommunications and arts policies and programs. The departments work touches every Australian community and underpins our economy and society.

Our focus is on connecting Australians enriching communities and empowering our regions. We do this byprovidingpolicy advice to government and delivering programs services and research for the benefit of all Australians.

The opportunity we have available

The Chief People Officer role is directly accountable to the Secretary for leading the people culture and capability agenda across the Department and is a key member of the Departments Leadership Team. The role is responsible for all human resource functions including HR strategy and policy; recruitment and talent management; organisational design; organisational effectiveness; leadership development; employee relations; HR operations and payroll; and learning and development. It is also responsible for workhealth and safety.

The Chief People Office also leads the People Culture and Change Division and in this capacity reports to the Chief Operating Officer. The wide range of responsibilities of the role include:

• Delivering communication and change through media management campaigns and a wide variety of external and internal communications engagements.

• Providing reliable and responsive ministerial parliamentary and cabinet services to support our various Ministers.

• Leading the departments strategic and operational property portfolio including delivering the departments move to its new Canberra property preceding through 2026 27 as well as developing a long term property strategy that complement our flexible ways of working.

What will you do

• Actively lead discussing and articulating a positive vision and sense of purpose for the future and empowering people to succeed and have a positive impact.
• Achieve results with the ability to delivertimelyandaccuratelegal services in relation to complex projects programs and services with resilience and a positive approach to issues resolution.
• Communicate with influence to take forward the Governments policy agenda with intelligence persuasiveness professionalism authenticity and credibility. Listenunderstandand adapt to different audiences.
• Act with integrity and be respectful making informed decisions integrating moral and ethicalconsiderationsandestablishingrealistic goals. Value different perspectivescontributionsand background.
• Drive innovation turning innovative thinking into action andmake timeto engage others in ideas and problem solving. Consider mistakes first as an opportunity to learn.
• Manage for high performance self and others.
• Be collaborative across the department portfolioAPSand other sectors. Seek input from others.
• Contribute make a positive contribution across the department Portfolio and Government. Overcome barriers.
• Culturally Competent demonstratean understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and an ability to communicate sensitively effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Who are we looking for

To be successful in the role of Chief People Officer you will have the following capabilities and characteristics:

• a strong orientation towards people over process. You will put your internal customers at the centre of the outcomes you deliver and value collaboration and consultation with a diverse range of staff management and other stakeholders.
• a role model of positive Senior Executive Service behaviours and a champion of the organisations vision and goals and promote a shared commitment to the strategic direction and inclusive culture.
• an ability to consider and assess emerging trends and risks provide well considered guidance to the department to enable informed decision-making about long-term opportunities and achievement of strategic operational and tactical priorities
• an ability to provide impartial and forthright advice challenge difficult and sensitive issues and addresses breaches of protocol probity and integrity.
• the ability to lead and inspire staff within your business area including building and developing a high performing team managing competing business priorities and psychosocial risk factors to effectively deliver the core priorities of your business and across the department.
• An ability to build and maintain effective collaborative and productive networks across portfolio agencies government academia and the private sector.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

All of our roles are advertised under the RecruitAbility scheme unless Affirmative Measures disability.

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer

• Make an impact by supporting Australians in a way that enriches our communities empowers our regions and connects all Australians
• Have exposure to and strategically influence high profile and exciting projects
• Learn from inspiring leaders and build professional networks with others who support innovation and diversity across the department and the wider APS
• Receive career advancement opportunities including professional and capability development that is focused on your individual career goals
• Receive ongoing support including mentoring and access to the departments Professional Coaching Scheme
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements where appropriate including part time hours home based work and job sharing
• Support for womens progression into senior leadership

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure Transport Regional Development Communications Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• • Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
  • Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the departments preferred medical provider.
  • Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia or have a checkable background for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
  • Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
  • Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Anticipated timeline for recruitment milestone dates:

Applications open: Monday 10 November 2025

Applications close: 11.59pm AEDT Thursday 27 November 2025

Application shortlisting: First week of December 2025

Further assessments: Week of 8 December 2025

Selection report finalised: 10 days after further assessments

Offers and announcements: within a week of process finalised

The above is indicative only please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted you may be asked to undertake further assessment this may include work sample testing interviews and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT Thursday 27 November 2025.

In applying for this position you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather you should provide a statement of no more than 2 pages outlining your background capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role. You should also provide a CV no more than 4 pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the Who are we looking for section.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF no more than four pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the Who are we looking for section.

Your application should be received through the departments online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the SES Unit via email at to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer or the SES Unit at if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability andyourequire accessibilityassistance or more information please email

Work with us. Apply now!